Il Gazebo's picturesque entrance

ntimate yet very spacious for two, Il Gazebo is a circular villetta so comfortable, romantic and original, that even taking the short walk to Guitgia beach may seem like a wrench until you realise just how delightful the sun, sand and sea at Lampedusa can be. Clearly displaying the owner’s passion and talent for interior design, Il Gazebo comprises four large rooms intelligently set out beneath the round wood-beamed ceiling. In addition to its architecture, this property benefits from a perfect location in a private courtyard and garden at the western extremity of Lampedusa town, ensuring easy access to the town’s best beach, best cafes and some of the best restaurants, but also sufficiently far from the lively Via Roma to ensure a peaceful and relaxing stay.

Terrace with gazebo & barbecue

Outdoors: A gated entrance leads into the large piece of land where Il Gazebo is situated in one corner. The only other building here is a storeroom which the owners of this little cottage use to stock up on goods for their restaurant. As a result Il Gazebo enjoys plenty of privacy, and the tall plants that border its garden and terrace emphasize this further. Lanterns show the way along a paved path that bisects the lawn and raised terrace and culminates in the arched entrance, which is shrouded by low ferns. The terrace features a wooden gazebo and large dining table, supplemented with plenty of seats and a barbecue. The gazebo is veiled by creepers and offers a superb alternative to the Lampedusan restaurants as well as a cool spot to relax during the day.

Pathway bordered by greenery

Although you can get to many places on foot, to fully explore the island and its other wonderful beaches we recommend that you hire a scooter, or a car if you prefer, and bicycles are another option if it is not too hot. Make sure you do not miss out on a visit to the beautiful sandy beach in front of the Isola dei Conigli, which has incredibly clear waters. There are no facilities at this beach as it is part of a nature reserve but there is a restaurant nearby which does excellent pasta and if you place an order earlier in the day they can bring down drinks and snacks to the beach in the main season. A visit to Linosa makes a good day out and fairly regular ferries/hydrofoils leave from the old port.

Air conditioned living area

Indoors: The walls of Il Gazebo are entirely built from sandstone blocks, and this rugged theme is expertly complemented by heavy wood furnishings. The arched entrance opens into the main living area, where musical ornaments adorn the doorways and pictures of the coastline at its most beautiful are displayed on the wall. This air-conditioned room has plenty of space and seating, and a large television as well as a stereo.

The stylish four-poster

A narrow archway leads into the master bedroom, dominated by an enormous four-poster bed. This room is furnished and decorated to give you the impression you are in a luxury cabin at sea. To the other side of the living area, a larger stone archway leads to the dining area, which has a separate entrance. Within this dining area is a well-equipped kitchenette, and another archway leads into the large bathroom whose best feature is its enormous double shower cubicle.

Sandstone walls & stone floors

The double shower room

Il Gazebo is furnished to an extremely high standard throughout, and benefits from plenty of space. Its circular shape makes for an original and interesting floorplan.

Protected sandy beach

Surrounding area: Guitgia is a beautiful beach just 50m from Il Gazebo, and guests will be able to luxuriate in its soft golden sands and savour its clear, safe waters as well as benefiting from its beach bars and amenities. Those who make the bus, car or bicycle trip to the incredible Isola dei Conigli at the far end of the island will be well equipped to compare Guitgia with an untouched, protected beach in an area of great natural beauty, and decide which kind of beach suits them most. Both are perfect specimens of a different type.

Lampedusa's Porto Vecchio

The hotels near Guitgia beach often have restaurants where guests at Il Gazebo may choose to dine, but a short walk will always be rewarded. A small peninsula separates Guitgia from Lampedusa’s new port, which is full of fishing boats but also features a bar, many diving centres and several restaurants, including the fantastic L’Aragosta. Despite this being a specialist fish and seafood restaurant, its oven is capable of producing some marvellous pizzas. A short walk beyond the new port brings visitors up to Via Roma, where shops and lively bars line the island’s main street.

Easy walk to Guitgia beach

Lampedusa’s attractions are all based on its coastline and the sea. The water is warm enough to swim as late in the year as November, and other water-based activities include boating, fishing, diving, snorkelling and scuba diving. A ferry can be caught from the old port for a day trip to the volcanic island of Linosa, an hour away.

The large gazebo

Italian Islands Insight: One of the best ways to really appreciate the beauty of this island is to circumnavigate it by boat, so guests will be thrilled to know that a day trip out on a catamaran has been included in the price. This is organised by one of the best hotels on Lampedusa, which belongs to relatives of the property’s owner. Lunch is provided and there are plenty of stops to swim and snorkel or you can just relax and marvel at the dramatic coves and cliffs that cannot be accessed by land.

The romantic bedroom

Car or scooter hire may be a convenience for those staying at Il Gazebo, but is certainly not a necessity. You may want to just hire transport for a day or two but if you want it for the duration of your stay the owner is more than happy to arrange it all for you in advance.

From its double shower cubicle to its four-poster bed, the interior design of this property is ideal, while the intelligent architecture of the house and its vicinity to the beach make for a memorable holiday. Couples seeking a comfortable, romantic getaway in a remote location should look no further than Il Gazebo, a great place to spend a honeymoon or anniversary.